Analog physical signature devices and methods and systems for using such devices to secure the use of computer resources

An interactive system for binding a computer program, the computer program including instructions for implementing an intended functionality, the interactive system comprising:

• an analog physical signature device that is operative to transform an analog input into a consequent, dependent analog output;
• an alternative code segment that replaces a code segment of the computer program instructions representing a program expression to bind the computer program to the analog physical signature device, the alternative code segment defining a predetermined digital input;
• a digital-to-analog conversion means in communication with the computer program and the analog physical signature device and operative to causally relate the predetermined digital input to a predetermined analog input that is communicated to the analog physical signature device wherein the predetermined analog input is transformed into a consequent, dependent analog output;
• and
• an analog-to-digital conversion means in communication with the computer program and the analog physical signature device and operative to causally relate the consequent, dependent analog output to a predefined digital output;
• the alternative code segment including instructions for communicating the predetermined digital input to the digital-to-analog conversion means, for retrieving the predefined digital output from the analog-to-digital conversion means, and for functionally processing the predefined digital output;
• wherein, when the alternative code segment is encountered during execution of the computer program instructions, the alternative code segment is operative to communicate the predetermined digital input to the digital-to-analog conversion means and to perform program functionality dependent upon the predetermined digital input and the predefined digital output retrieved from the analog-to-digital conversion means.

A method for binding a computer program to an analog physical signature device comprising:

• executing a code segment, the code segment defining a predetermined digital input for transformation by an analog physical signature device;
• converting the digital input to an associated analog input;
• communicating the associated analog input to the analog physical signature device;
• the analog physical signature device transforming the associated analog input to a consequent, dependent analog output different from the input;
• converting the analog output to an associated digital output;
• and
• returning the associated digital output to the code segment, the code segment being operative to perform program functionality dependent upon the associated digital output.

An interactive system for binding a computer program comprising:

• a first code segment defining a predetermined digital input;
• a digital-to-analog conversion circuit configured to convert the predetermined digital input to a corresponding analog input and to communicate the analog input;
• an analog physical signature device configured to transform the analog input into a consequent, dependent analog output different from the analog input;
• an analog-to-digital conversion circuit configured to convert the consequent, dependent analog output of the analog physical signature device to a predefined digital output;
• and
• a second code segment configured to perform program functionality dependent upon the predefined digital output.

An interactive system for binding a computer program comprising:

• first code segment means for defining a predetermined digital input;
• digital-to-analog conversion means for converting the predetermined digital input to a corresponding analog input;
• analog physical signature means for transforming the corresponding analog input into a consequent, dependent analog output different from the corresponding analog input;
• analog-to-digital conversion means for converting the consequent, dependent analog output of the analog physical signature means to a predefined digital output;
• and
• second code segment means for performing program functionality dependent upon the predefined digital output.

An analog physical signature transformation device for preventing unauthorized modification and duplication of software code on a computing device, the analog physical signature transformation device comprising:

• an input configured to interface with the computing device;
• an output configured to interface with the computing device;
• and
• an immutable, inhomogeneous material coupled between the input and the output and configured to transform an input radiant wave received at the input to a corresponding output radiant wave at the output different from the input radiant wave;
• wherein the input radiant wave is one selected from the group consisting of a light wave and a sonic wave;
• and
• wherein the immutable, inhomogeneous material comprises at least one of:
• a membrane stretched over a rigid structure;
• a closed partially hollow container filled with a viscous fluid;
• a closed hollow container filled with ringing metal objects;
• a glass mirror having impurities embedded therein;
• a glass mirror having surface irregularities;
• and
• a glass mirror having an inhomogeneous metallic backing.

An analog physical signature transformation device for preventing unauthorized modification and duplication of software code on a computing device, the analog physical signature transformation device comprising:

• input means for interfacing with the computing device;
• output means for interfacing with the computing device;
• and
• transformation means for transforming an input radiant wave received at the input means to a corresponding output radiant wave at the output means different from the input radiant wave, wherein the transformation means include an immutable, inhomogeneous material coupled between the input means and the output means;
• wherein the input radiant wave is one selected from the group consisting of a light wave and a sonic wave;
• and
• wherein the immutable, inhomogeneous material comprises at least one of:
• a membrane stretched over a rigid structure;
• a closed partially hollow container filled with a viscous fluid;
• a closed hollow container filled with ringing metal objects;
• a glass mirror having impurities embedded therein;
• a glass mirror having surface irregularities;
• and
• a glass mirror having an inhomogeneous metallic backing.

A method for preventing unauthorized modification and duplication of software code on a computing device comprising:

• receiving a digital input from a computing device;
• converting the digital input to an analog input signal selected from the group consisting of a light wave and a sonic wave;
• transmitting the analog input signal across an immutable, inhomogeneous material configured to transform the analog input signal to a corresponding analog output signal different from the analog input signal;
• converting the analog output signal to a digital output signal;
• and
• transmitting the digital output signal to the computing device.